Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Hey, Teach

This was not my intention. I have buckets to share with you. Buckets. Alas, every time I sat down to show you my bucket, something would happen. I would smell smoke, or ominous noises would emanate from the plumbing. Or I would realize it was time to go to Montana.

Yes, Montana. I went to Wild Purls* in Billings for two days, to sign copies of the little book and to teach a class on Elizabeth Zimmermann's Tomten Jacket. I was excited about both events, but especially excited about the teaching. I was so exceedingly excited about the teaching that every time I imagined myself in the classroom I'd get short of breath and throw up.

As some of you know, my dear sister is a teacher. At a shockingly young age, she has already racked up years of experience in the field. She is my authority in Matters Pedagogical. I asked her whether wanting to throw up in front of the class was normal. She said yes. I asked her what to do about it. She said, don't throw up.

Thus armed with sage advice, I landed in Billings and was welcomed warmly by the crew of Wild Purls, who were wearing...

"Knitting Becomes a Habit" commemorative tour t-shirts. I was floored. I felt like Madonna, or Cher, or Barbra, or somebody else that people in this neighborhood dress like on Friday night. Quite a boost to my confidence.

The book signing was a hoot. I met all sorts of knitters, including one very young (hi, Chloë!) and an aspiring cartoonist who reminded me of myself as a child, back in the days when they had just invented lead pencils.

But I was still nervous. Seven hours is a long maiden voyage as a knitting teacher, and a quick survey at 9 o'clock revealed that among the twenty-odd students:

only two had previously grappled with an Elizabeth Zimmermann pattern,

one of those was an extremely experienced knitter who had already made the Tomten countless times and probably knew much more about it than I,

only four or five had ever done two-color work,

and two were knitters so newly-minted they were still under warranty.

But there I was, and there they were, so into the fray we plunged together. It was like "The Charge of the Light Brigade," except at the end of the day we were all still alive.

In Montana, the pioneer spirit persists. These were rugged knitters. They rose to every challenge I threw at them with good humor and determination, which gave me the confidence to keep going. I may have appeared to be leading, but I felt that a good deal of the time they carried me aloft.

"I need a little more oomph from the altos.Let's try it from bar 18."

Nobody gave up, and at the end of the day came a crowning moment of delight: one of the new knitters, who hadn't even worked increases before that afternoon, successfully grafted the two halves of her hood together. She was beaming, and I wanted to tap dance.

Such a day. Honestly, I was sad to leave the next morning. I find that I have fallen in love with Montana. Billings is a remarkably pleasant place with incomparably down-to-earth people and a first-class yarn shop. Julia, Suzanne, Linda, Judy, Johanna, Irene and all of you who were good enough to come out for the events: a thousand thanks, and I can't wait to see you again.

Special thanks to Joseph, Suzanne's husband and a fine photographer, who took the photos and gave them to me to use. Next time, dude, we have to remember to talk about your collection of vintage cameras.

*Not to be missed when you visit is the special selection of local yarns, including Mountain Colors (of course) and splendid organics from Thirteen Mile Lamb & Wool Company. They also have their own shop-exclusive colorway from Lorna's Laces.

60 comments:

Great photos, Franklin! How nice of the LYS staff to have their own "Habit"-able T shirts! Glad the class was a success; an all-day class is tough for teacher and student both. BTW, are those really metal buckets on the wall holding the yarn?

Good for you, Franklin! Teaching can be fun, especially once the nausea has passed ;)I loved my first trip to MT also, but I was in slightly less civilized surroundings. The only "fiber craft" I learned was how to splice rope. Seriously.

Please come to Seattle to teach it. We have TONS of LYSs, (>20) so you could stay for weeks. :) There are thousands of knitters who would be glad to put you up -- and we are the city where 'Stitch 'N Pitch' started. :) Plus we read -- LOTS.

The first time I had to teach a 3 hour computer class, I didn't throw up. I did, however, complete it in 1.5 hours, since I was speaking ohsoveryveryveryquickly. Funny how teaching nerves can hit...

Love the buckets holding the yarn. Wonder if that would look as good in my home...I noticed there was a Dolores campaign poster on top of the bookshelf in the last photo!I echo the other comments, I was very nervous for the first year I taught. But managed not to throw up.

Congrats on a great first class! I'm teaching my first knitting class next Thursday, and though I substitute teach on a regular basis, I am still nervous. That you got through a seven-hour class successfully makes my measly hour seem like nothing, even if my students are uppity teenagers ;)

The one accessory for the nervous attack is a paper sack. Breathe in and out into it deeply about 5-10 times. If not utilized for unpleasant contents, (which the paper sack is supposed to stop from happening!) it's great for recycling into a newly-purchased stash bag, too! Altoids are good to have available, too!

Oh Franklin...Billings is still in a swoon over your visit. I have heard nothing but fantastic reviews of your class and you are the talk of the knitters at Wild Purls. "Garter Stitch Jacquard"? Get outta here......Miss you and am so glad you enjoyed your visit and got home safely. Joseph loved the comments and he does want to chat!from Big Sky Country,Suzanne

2) Love the buckets-o-yarn too...must find a more creative way to display my stash than I currently have.

3) Got your book for Christmas (because I put it on my Amazon Wish List!) and loved it. My mom, who thinks "knitting humor" is an oxymoron, started reading it and laughing and is asking to borrow it :)

Glad to hear I'm not alone in the new to teaching department. I have taught people to knit, one on one. That is easy, so to speak. But I am starting to teach a knitting class at our local community college and I have to come up with stuff to do for 9, count them, 9 classes!! I am excited though and I appreciate what your sister said about the throwing up thing.

As a fellow teacher I can affirm that your sister is very wise indeed! Even though I've been teaching for about 15 years I still get all twittery and sweaty-palmed before I start a new semester. I'm glad you had a fabulous time at it!

Franklin, Funny you should mention throwing up as a reaction to first-time-in-class jitters. I was just remembering that on my first days at kindergarten (in 1942!), when I was afraid of being humiliated for sucking my thumb, until I arrived to the sight of another little girl throwing up in the middle of the floor. Every day for a week!

A certain amount of stage fright makes for a better performance, they tell me.

BTW, in Israel where I live, there is one yarn shop in Rana'ana, owned by English-speakers, where I dream to see you teach one day.

Having begun training as a teacher of 11-18 yr olds (before I had a fit of common sense and ran for my life) the throwing up thing? Just don't do it in front of the class. Before or after is fine. However, from what I've seen, teaching adults ANYTHING (nuclear physics, brain surgery, kitchener stitch) is a cinch compared to trying to engage a hormonal bunch of 14 yr olds with the lousy National Curriculum.

I want one of those T-shirt like crazy. (I'm a long-time admirer of yours and I'm a recovering addict who knits at meetings whilst cussing like the well-educated sailor that I am.)

I'm also a teacher (some of the same stuff that Sister Sue teaches, may the gods help us both), and I often can't sleep the night before a new bunch arrives.

Your affection for the people of Montana reminded me of the one of the best movies ever: _Big Eden_. A gay man living in New York returns to Montana to see an ailing family member and discovers that home is a place in the heart, not on a map. Lovely, full of sweetness and surprises that are smart, and quite swoonworthy.

I, too, loved having you here. What a big jolt of energy for our little 'ol yarn store, Wild Purls! We are pretty energetic already, but an extra spark of lightning never hurts! My mini tomten (knit out of Wild Purls own Lorna's Lace color) is finished and on display at the store!

Totally loved the class and feel so fortunate to have been graced by your presence. I picked up several new techniques and just enjoyed a great day of knitting fun. Please come to Wild Purls again anytime.

I'm soooo disappointed that your visit to Billings was in the middle of winter! During a more civilized time of year I would have given serious thought to a road trip. Bad timing and butterflies aside, I'm delighted you had such a pleasant trip.

Hi, Franklin - Was I wishing I could make it to Billings for the book signing. However, it was not to be. Glad you had a great time and that you survived the cold weather that they've been having. Sounds like your class wnet very well, also. BTW, "Big Eden" is a very good film and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a fun romantic comedy. Take care - Joe, in Wyoming

Here's my favorite alto observation:Try to name an opera or operetta where the lead alto character doesn't die, go insane or become a prostitute before the end. For extra credit, try including musicals too.

Oh my gosh! This is such serendipity. Tomorrow morning (tonight your time) I'm starting the Tomten jacket for the first time. Each time I read the instructions I freak out that I'm going to mess this up but someone said, or I might have read, that you just knit it and don't over think it. I could have used the class in MT. Please come to Italy and teach the same class. I know Dolores will love it here.

Hi Franklin, Your comments on teaching make me realize how much I miss it. I have been teaching knitting since 1983, in San Francisco. I think it took me until 1993 to get over the panic, and the fear of being challenged. It helped me to "come into my knowing" (what a dreadful expression, but it works) and realized that it was okay for someone to have another idea. Once I got my head around that, I relaxed. I haven't taught in about 2 years and I miss the inspiration that I get from all of the students. I love your blog and always leave inspired. Thanks

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